The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-11-01

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MRS. JAMES Drown POTTER.
theatre were clapped heartily. and kept It up
nearly two minutes-whch is a long demon
stration. as anybody can appreciate by timing
a round Of applause She was at the back Of
the stage when 1t began, but she advanced a
little as she bowed repeatedly. Then she
dobbed at each eye with a handkerchief. as
though removing grateful tears.
What the people saw was slim. erect young
woman. delicatey graceful in physique as she
stood still, and clad simply. though artfully. in
white. Her small head was neatly wrapped
with its bright auburn hair. The face was
young and pretty, but scarcely beautiful the
features being piquantly irregular. There was
plenty OF rouge on the checks and lips. pow
der on the forehead and chin. and black
around the eyelashes and eyebrows. Never
theless, she had the aspect OF the
hRh-bred. unartiHcial girl whom she was
impersonating The first utterances wore con-
strained. probably from fright or other excite
mcnt, but she seemed to pluck up resolution
by an effort. and thereafter was in command Of
such ability as she possessed. Tho scrutiny OF
the spectators was long and Close tits doubt
full II. during the ensuing ten minutes many
paid much heed to what she was saying. be-
cause thorough view OF her as woman had
to be enjoyed before attention could be given
to her as an actress
A new drama added risk and interest to the
debut of Mrs. Potter Instead Of choosing the
certninties OF a familiar role. involving a COM
garrison with prior performances by eminent
actresses. she enacted the heroine in play
which had never been seen In America, nor
elsewhere in exactly the same form. This was
Mr.. Albert Depit's Mile. de Bressier, !"
originally produced in Paris last spring. after
ward used in English in London. and now
altered for New York by forcing its lovers
into greater Importance. The first two acts are
filled with horror of the Paris Commune in
1871. A young man lies in his humble home.
He has been hit In skirmish with tho German
invaders His mother Is assured by physi-
clan that her boy will recover. but her dread Of
losing him is scarcely removed before her hus-
band, hearing the rattle of Communstic
drums, quits her to join the insurgents against
s' shissa to ffs0ps ehateas inc "G.'Gn
tocrat where the daughter, OF the, house
encs ns S~s bse st killed. hss in
battle; 4 little later: the mentioned Commun-
list soldier seeks refuge in the garden from
him. Sic tells S him to hide In hedge: Tho
officer who comes to search for the fugitive in
in that days battles. but that her, brother. too
has been cruelty murdered by the mob. In
sudden grief end d rage she gives Up the hidden hidden
IN which parental and illisI Affection & torn ~
az Ss hsa 10 Do
was to chat awhile with girl friend on COM
ns 11pss H pa fhs did Il With
to look at and talk to the audience. in disre-
gard Of her COMPANION in the dialogue. Next,
with, good stimulation of sudden grief weep.
ing hystsrically. The ensuing treatment Of
pity. and from that episode she rose to the
vengsful delivery Of the man to his doom with
fair degrfe OF Salm rSsou ts and deter mi
stirring figure at the fall Of the curtain. and
The remainder Of ie de ' Bressier." or the
play proper pr presents the i, mutual love Of the
81 the dead General, Sesnnins ' seven ' years.
Letter. when f%Sag Is ws 81
a bust Of Faustine and their passion progresses
under the fayoring circumstances Of his
sbsence anu He earnestly ay VOW AG Simseli'
she admits her ,.g rsciprpcaton and they
shsppy end q thelr AFFAIR seems n view, but s
IhhsTstsre sh s, hndsrs ths proposed union
walt In the French play re becomes desper-
.tsly imp9rtunats, and s she resp9bnsivey be,
ss sSf ns s' $S!as' , &Ssa
proves her sincerity BY an attempt at suicide
In the present version the sin is eliminated
aa hs es haGRss Is sasna With tss
strongest scenes for the actress OF the heroine
y lost, and there is left to her, as effective
hers that Mrs Potter s' quite sa
TIC and almost so in satisiyns the more CRITICAL
was rousingly luminous. Her voice had sufii-
and movements were at times properly ex-
pressive. All was. intelligently done. The
her is that her faults, though damaging enough
e her representation, did not seem ineprable;
rap shsrs WIs an Was e s Oh
pressions. Her tenderest words were murmured
by cruel mouth, and her noblest impulses
gestures that viii he easier to correct, and IN
Immediately renedieble. bad habit, of ignoring
tic poodle beyond the footligEts She 81 eyinesd
after tho first few minutes. This bold self
session and to use 1t for steady advancement.
10 convey meaning by handy compari,
Than Mrs. Lnngtry during her first American
tour; there y marked similarity between the
wv WoIhcH III their hDlllty at me outset 10 DO
iauyllRe even In their awkward moments and
In the adyenturonsness OF their undertakings;
put Mrs. Potter has the better natural voice.
the greater emotional quality. and should
quicker become an acceptable actress More
than that II IL too early TO Judge.
-, MILO. de BresSier' proved IN inc0nGruous.
unrnmanttc, and Intellectual play. There was
nothing In It that took hold on interest or
sympathy. 1t had been weakened in the adap-
tatlon and was not bettered by the perform
hnce. Some Of It's scenes were laughed at on
account Of ridiculous acting. Mr.. Kyrle Dellew
Was the sculptor. and to his inssperable touch
o. grotesdueness GAv9an air Of Dlsasant sim